That way, the London club may just have been sitting in second in the table this morning, instead of ruing the lack of a cutting striking edge which already threatens to derail their lofty ambitions.

Both sides could have imposed themselves on the title race with victory, but it was the visitors who looked to have the better credentials to slip menacingly in behind Arsenal, especially after an outstanding first half performance that should have delivered a convincing lead.

It didn’t because - as a paltry nine Premier League goals in 10 games illustrates - they do not have the firepower to match their overall quality, and they were left here almost ridiculously clinging on at the end of a game they should have put beyond doubt far earlier.

Quite bizarrely they had Lloris to thank for the point which at least puts them in the top four, a supreme irony given that the entire Spurs medical staff and bench, along with most of the players, desperately tried to persuade him to go off.

The keeper received a sickening blow to the head in an accidental collision with Everton’s Romelu Lukaku - who outrageously was booked for what was a perfectly legitimate challenge.

Bravely, the Frenchman insisted he was ok to continue despite the best efforts of the physio and his skipper Michael Dawson to lead him off, and we had the hilarious sight of the Spurs medical man even asking the ref to intervene to force Lloris to go off.

The visitors though, will be thankful he was so pig-headed, because with Everton finally finding their passing range and attacking intent late in the game, the keeper pulled off a fine save to deny sub Gerard Deulofeu the glory.

The forward, on loan from Barcelona, almost transformed the game for Everton along with fellow substitute Ross Barkley, with the pair injecting the energy and passing range that was painfully missing for much of the game.

The Blues have dominated possession - and with it most matches - here at Goodison, but they were largely out-passed and outplayed by a Spurs side that looks so well balanced until they get into the penalty area.

And it is not merely the fault of their expensive summer signing Roberto Soldado either. While he still looks to lack the clinical edge of the top strikers in this league, too often his team-mates sat back to admire their delicious build up play, instead of busting a gut to get alongside him.

Down but not out: Hugo Lloris played on after clashing with Lukaku (Image: Chris Brunskill)

It means Spurs often do not have the numbers in the box to pressure defences, especially ones as assured as this Phil Jagielka-led back line, and one so well protected in midfield from the impressive James McCarthy.

Even so Soldado should have scored with a header after just six minutes when he steered a clever cross from Aaaron Lennon just wide of the far post, and another chance went begging when the Spaniard was too slow to shoot when brilliantly placed.

Tim Howard maintained his impressive recent form with fine saves from Sandro and the lively sub Gylfi Sigurdsson, who offered enough threat to suggest he deserves a starting role.

Yet as far as chances went, the visitors created too few given their first half dominance, and even a penalty claim when Seamus Coleman tussled with Jan Vertonghen was dismissed by Spurs boss Andre Villas Boas, who admitted: “I think the referee made a good decision, there was minimal contact.”

Everton for their part, could also have had a penalty after the break, when the same two players came together again in the Spurs box, and the home manager believes it was a stronger shout.

“Seamus getting back on his feet probably allowed the referee not to give the penalty when he was clearly impeded,” Roberto Martinez explained.

That moment seemed to inspire the home side along with their bold substitutions, and after Lukaku went agonisingly close, the impressive Deulofeu skipped through brilliantly, only for Lloris to show he had a clear head with fine anticipation to save -bravely - at the striker’s feet.

It was certainly no more than Spurs deserved, and it was a testimony to the refreshing attitude of these two sides that they were still both bursting forward in search of a win, when a point was enough to consolidate promisingly around the top four.